People struggle with diabetes guidelines

Most people with type 2 diabetes are struggling to stick to an array of health guidelines and to fully understand key aspects of the condition, according to a new study.

A survey of 500 Australians with the condition has found 80 per cent engage in one or more unhealthy practices.

The research commissioned by healthcare company Abbott shows a third of people were not surprised by their diagnosis because type 2 diabetes runs in their family.

A positive finding is 88 per cent are adhering to cholesterol-monitoring guidelines.

However, almost 60 per cent say they are unaware of the importance of triglycerides, a key factor in diabetes.

Together, cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood are known as blood lipids.

"When people have diabetes or have too much triglycerides, they increase the risk of heart disease and stroke," says Professor Anthony Keech, Deputy Director of the National Health and Medical Research Council centre at the University of Sydney.

"People need to know their triglyceride number just like their cholesterol and blood pressure number. It is important for people to discuss it with their GP.

He says type 2 diabetes is a lifelong condition and people do best when they take a keen interest in how to manage all the different aspects.

Professor Merlin Thomas from Melbourne's Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute is not surprised by the survey results.

"When you add up all of the challenges it is very difficult to do everything right all of the time."

He says triglyceride is important but it is not necessary for patients to know every aspect of their management.

"Many people with type 2 diabetes are fully aware they have too much fat around their middle. But nobody has told them it is in fact triglyceride fat.

"The number one priority is taking medication and number two is adhering to the diet and lifestyle recommendations," says Prof Thomas, author of a book about understanding type 2 diabetes.